Bowling for Columbine - A-
Now Playing: (2002, Michael Moore) [fourth viewing, first on DVD]
Movie plans fell through this evening, so I stayed home and watched my recently-purchased DVD of this at home. It certainly suffers as an entertainment by comparison with my theatrical viewings (it's an audience-pleaser, provided you've got the right audience), but it is just as thought-provoking seen alone. Some of the interviews early on (especially James Nichols) seem to be there mostly for hey-look-at-this-WACKJOB entertainment value, and as such feel simplistic compared to his "well, maybe it's not all about gun control after all" message in later scenes. But the film still makes valid points, especially about post-9/11 fear. I wasn't hit especially hard by the event (I don't watch television, and indeed I didn't even hear about it until hours later- no, I don't live in a cocoon) but I know others who were, and images like people stocking up on various emergency supplies felt real to me. Heck, I was having a conversation a few months ago after the big power outage, and someone in complete seriousness said "they haven't ruled out terrorism yet." Of course, I reverted to my natural smart-aleck self and deadpanned "they haven't ruled out aliens either," but her statement stuck with me as an example of how real the fear of being attacked has been ingrained into some people's minds. Michael Moore might say that the reason I'm as nonchalant about the idea of foreign threats is because I'm fairly un-saturated media-wise, while others would maintained that I'm too wrapped up in my own troubles to fret over the bigger picture. I dunno, maybe they're both right. I can't wait for Fahrenheit 9/11.